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Posted By: Tamid Temporary Non-Functional Firearms - 02/28/22 07:41 PM
I am attending the Denver and Salt Lake City Expos as an exhibitor and would like to display a couple of sxs shotguns. The Expo regulation is that they must be made non-functional by removing the firing pins. I'm thinking of taking a Lefever and a Parker. How simple/easy is it to remove and reinstall the firing pins on these two brands? Is there an easier American made gun such as a Smith, Fox or Ithaca?
Posted By: Brittany Man Re: Temporary Non-Functional Firearms - 03/01/22 12:50 AM
Tamid,

Since the firing pins on Parker & Fox shotguns are integral w/ the hammers it is going to be impossible to comply w/o removing the hammers from the guns or permanently altering the hammers. I don't know (or want to know) about LC Smith, Ithaca or Lefever guns but I'll bet you can google a schematic & find out.
Posted By: topgun Re: Temporary Non-Functional Firearms - 03/01/22 01:47 AM
It's fairly simple with a Syracuse Arms Co double; remove the trigger guard, floor plate and butt stock, then drive the lower pin out of the frame. With the pin removed the hammer springs and one-piece hammer, firing pin, cocking rod units slip out the back of the frame. The trick is getting those stiff hammer springs reinstalled.
Posted By: limapapa Re: Temporary Non-Functional Firearms - 03/01/22 02:52 AM
LC Smiths are the easiest. just pull the side plates and the firing pins will fall out if you tap the butt on the table top, or you can reach in with a pair of needle nose pliers and just pull them out.
Posted By: Kutter Re: Temporary Non-Functional Firearms - 03/01/22 03:19 PM
Pre-1913 LCS use the bushings in the face of the breech to contain the firing pin. A small lock screw (brass or copper generally) in the face keeps the bushing from unscrewing.
Use a spanner type screwdriver blade to unscrew the bushing after removeing the lock screw and the firing pin can be removed.
Many times the bushings are cracked from use and dry firing, so they may come out in 2 or more pieces for you.

Post 1913 LCS,, as explained above.

Lefever, the original side plate gun,,separate firing pins in the frame held in place by a set screw accessable from below the breech inside the frame. You have remove the hammer w/ mainspring (Flat V springs) on each side to get at the set screw.

Lefever Nitro Special (Ithaca),, Western Arms (Ithaca,,and Ithaca Flues & NID,,,all use separate firing pins in the breech. Held in place by set screws.
Problem with them is that those set screws are staked heavily into place as a rule and don't want to be easily removed.
Usually it's a 'drill the set screw out' to remove a broken firing pin in one of these. Then retap and replace w/a new set screw.
Plus you need to pull the hammer /w mainspring to get at the firing pin & set screw.
Coil main spring on all of them. The Nitro Special is the toughest to reassemble w/o a jig (home made will do) & drill press to compress and hold the mainspring.

Win 21 the firing pin is integral with the hammer.
You need to pull the hammer(s).
Posted By: Tamid Re: Temporary Non-Functional Firearms - 03/01/22 08:03 PM
They all seem a bit over complicated just to temporarily de-commission a shotgun for a display rack. Smiths easiest but I only have field grade guns so no real attraction to the exhibit. Appears to be a non-starter for me.
Posted By: Karl Graebner Re: Temporary Non-Functional Firearms - 03/01/22 08:58 PM
I'm curious why they wouldn't just permit trigger locks? Pulling firing pins seems over the top!
Karl
Posted By: Tamid Re: Temporary Non-Functional Firearms - 03/02/22 07:51 AM
Originally Posted by Karl Graebner
I'm curious why they wouldn't just permit trigger locks? Pulling firing pins seems over the top!
Karl

I agree. I'll be taking them that question tomorrow
Posted By: Buzz Re: Temporary Non-Functional Firearms - 03/02/22 11:32 AM
Hi risk for buggering something. Their request is unreasonable. I wouldn’t go.
Posted By: keith Re: Temporary Non-Functional Firearms - 03/02/22 09:11 PM
Originally Posted by Buzz
Hi risk for buggering something. Their request is unreasonable. I wouldn’t go.

Great call Buzz. That requirement is like entering your car in a Car Show that requires you to remove the pistons from your engine. Sounds like an idea conceived by a Liberal Democrat.
Posted By: Hugh Lomas Re: Temporary Non-Functional Firearms - 03/03/22 01:38 AM
This is actually a requirement for any firearm displayed at the SHOT show, at least for the last 15 yrs. officials visit each stand, check firing pins are removed/non functional and attach an inspection tag to the trigger guard. Not saying its practical for individual older guns, relatively easy for original manufacturer of a new gun for display purposes only. That's the way it is.
Posted By: Replacement Re: Temporary Non-Functional Firearms - 03/03/22 01:56 PM
Quote
This is actually a requirement for any firearm displayed at the SHOT show, at least for the last 15 yrs

Twenty or so years ago, the head of our duck club invited a friend of his, gunsmith and local gun shop owner, to hunt as a guest. Guy showed up with a brand new Beretta semi-auto, right off the rack. Nice looking gun. Shoot time came around, and then the ducks started filtering in. Gun would not fire, very embarrassing for the smith. When the dust settled and the razzing subsided, turned out that the gun had no firing pin.
Posted By: Tamid Re: Temporary Non-Functional Firearms - 03/03/22 06:16 PM
I have been able to determine that removing the triggers would suffice. A simpler procedure than the firing pins.
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